Sunday, April 06, 2008

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

This spring a pair of red-bellied woodpeckers have been observed at least once a day in the Colvin Run Habitat. A few hours of sunshine allowed some reasonable photo taking, here are the results.
This is the male (continuous patch of red on the head; no gray on head). I'll post a photo of the female as soon as I get a current (and good) photo.
Given the presence of a male and female pair, I assume that they have a 'nest' nearby. Red-bellied woodpecker nest in hole in dead tree or dead limb. Eggs are laid on wood chips left from woodpecker's excavation of the nesting hole.
Unfortunately, the red-bellied woodpeckers compete with European starlings for nest locations. The starlings will nest anywhere including holes excavated by woodpeckers. Perhaps this is why the red-bellied woodpeckers and the starlings are not goof friends at the feeders.

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